BPI - Beaubourg Reviews

The entrance of shame, hidden behind pipes ... Thank you Culture. Requires an update of electrical outlets, usb plug and others. We are at XXI Century in Beaubourg

I'll put one star to draw attention about smoking in the queue, I think everybody would agree to put a no smoking sign while you queuing.

A place well supplied in terms of press, novels, books on all subjects. And also computer stations available. On the other hand, the toilets need to be reviewed: sometimes a screwdriver is enough for it to work.

Accessible, fairly well equipped and quiet. It's a nice alternative to coworking spaces when the place is not crowded.

Staff who spend their time making rounds every hour to check that the mask is on properly when I have just seen librarians wearing the mask under their noses. It's just unbearable this coping when when we are at our table we disturb no one. By the way, they do not respect the distance of 1m when they come to disturb you in the middle of work. They better go check the restroom, there is no soap or paper to dry their hands.
And it's one of the only libraries where you can't borrow books, so you wonder what librarians are used for.
I put 2 stars for the air conditioning and the schedules.

Own library, equipped with WI-FI, many choices in the books. The calm is there but there are a lot of students so there is a lack of space! Be sure to arrive early otherwise a huge queue will be waiting for you !! I recommend BPI.

I love this library. Admittedly it has its faults, in particular the toilets, the flights and the prices in the cafeteria, but I find that one works there very well. The setting is studious, the chairs comfortable and there is space for your belongings. The terrace is also quite nice. However, I find that there is a lack of space to eat, especially chairs in the cafeteria!

Always have to wait more than 1 hour to get inside.

This is only an opinion on the new catalog of the BPI: did you take inspiration from Harold Searles' "The Effort to Drive the Other Mad", to design it? Because really, the slightest research on it turns into nervous torture. Interface unnecessarily complex, results as bloated as they are irrelevant. At the end of my rope, I migrated to the BSG catalog or in two clicks I found what I was looking for. But now, RHL is closed because of the epidemic. Aaaaargh! Otherwise, the BPI is very good, a mine, great librarians and very cool activities. But who is the SADIQUE who designed this new catalog? !!!

The schedules are great, and it's pretty quiet as a workspace.
On the other hand, there are often too many people, and suddenly:
- endless queue to access
- not enough toilets, and that are not clean
- unreliable internet connection
- even the catalog is slow

Very modern and delicate library neighboring the famous modern art museum. The mobile app called affluences works perfect to view the up-to-date waiting time. It is a great place to study/work but it becomes overcrowded (1-2 hours of waiting) on weekends from September to July. Beware of pickpockets and never leave your belongings unattended!

So yes sometimes it is long for entry, but it is worth the effort! It is truly a cultural sanctuary, large ... even very large. Self-study, study, learn, discover, and even play, everything is there and for all ages.

Large workspace but the amount of cockroaches in the toilets is appalling .... here

Queues too long at times, difficult to find places.
Toilet that leaves a little to be desired.
Otherwise it is a good library very large we work well in addition there is a cafeteria frankly it's cool.

I advise you to go to the opening in the worst case 1h or 2h after the opening otherwise it is too difficult for places especially if you are a 2.

There is normally any work you wish to consult. To consult on site only, of course. Otherwise you can photocopy the desired passages in an office next door, of course after buying a photocopy card.
Sufficiently quiet library. In case you wear this kind of shoes. Nothing to worry about, thanks to the carpet

Wide to do everything,
PROS: reserved areas for seeing international TV, many computer stations, several tables for studying books, book shelves and all around infinite tables with column for computer connection, a great place to work and study quietly, fast and excellent WiFi, competent staff .
Decent bar with coffee machine, fair prices and next to a small discount of snacks and prepackaged food at medium to high prices.
If you feel like it then you can access the museum and see what they offer not least the well-stocked book shop above all photography is the best.
CONS: indecent library floor toilets always dirty and clogged, a bit crowded after 3pm.
VARIANT: for the bathrooms you can use those of the museum that are always clean and perfumed, the cleaning lady lives in them, except on those of the library floor left to themselves.
Around the Pompidu outside there are several points to eat excellent EXKI just 2 steps from the entrance of the Library excellent sandwiches, soups from 3.90 euros and salad at reasonable prices.

Qualitative, quiet workplace. But where is the cigarette break? Under construction. The work of the cigarette

The library is therefore open to everyone. It follows that it is overcrowded. What generates at certain periods (like during the revisions of the BAC and Christmas holidays) an immense queue. It sometimes takes an hour and a half or two hours to enter. Then you have to find a place. It's a place where you don't feel safe. You must keep your belongings (computer, handbag ...) in front of you and watch them. Apparently there are pickpockets and frequent thefts. The announcement made regularly during the day confirms this. It is a library that should be avoided if you want to work calmly and concentrate. The positive point is that, to my knowledge, the Parisian library remains open the latest. They take you out around 9:45 p.m. for an effective closure at 10 p.m. It is also one of the few libraries open on Sundays and during the Christmas holidays.

Strong points :
-Very large reading rooms on 2 levels;
- open until 22h;
- a lot of searchable work;
- a terrace area for smoking without having to go outside
- many activities offered by BPI daily (exhibition tour, foreign language discussion group)
Weak points :
- often too crowded (endless waiting outside and a little more to find a place once in) well watch the crowd on the dedicated application.
- people reserve seats for hours before the arrival of their friends and the administration does nothing against;
- not enough power outlets next to the tables, everyone is working with PCs nowadays;
-cafeteria overpriced;

A large library with plenty of space to work. There are many desk workplaces without sockets on the ground floor and in the front area of the 1st floor (level 2) in the back area of the 1st floor there are tons of workplaces with sockets and extra light. There is generally enough light. So far, my impression is that you will definitely get a seat as long as you get there before 15:00.
Unfortunately, the windows are not very well sealed against sound, which means that some ambient noise gets into the interior of the library, so if you are sensitive to something you should bring earplugs, earmuffs or noise canceling headphones.
In general, I think that the atmosphere is very pleasant. There is a large balcony where you can smoke and an area to eat. You can also buy various snacks and drinks, but you are still in Paris and the prices are correspondingly high. Otherwise there is a small Carrefour directly opposite.
The toilets leave something to be desired (no soap, hardly any pressure on the taps, often long queues in front of the ladies' room. I only noticed when I was walking by!)
So far, I haven't had to pay an entrance fee, but haven't found out whether this is the case at certain times. I've always arrived before 2pm. Of course you can stay as long as you want.
There is also WLAN, which does not require registration, but it is limited to 500MB, which is sufficient for most things. Otherwise there are also PC workstations with unlimited internet access.

PITOYABLE SERVICE AND INCOMPETENT STAFF. I went there today (14.06.2018) with a group of four friends, in order to revise the approaching bac. Before going there we compared the attendance of the different libraries where we potentially wanted to go, and seeing that the attendance of the BSI was 50% / 60% we went there. Arrived there, we realized that the affluence indicated did not correspond to reality. We searched for seats for 30 minutes, and finding nothing we decided to sit on a table intended for children. At this moment a man then a lady reprimanded us in a disrespectful way to forbid us to settle here. We resigned ourselves to settle down BY LAND to revise THE BAC and after a while found places. Well settled and concentrated we were able to start working. After an hour and a half of hard work, as were the tables near ours which were quiet and silent. We got kicked out because of the early closure of the BSI. Scandalous. Especially since this closure was due to disturbances caused by other young people. We had to leave because the staff "couldn't handle the situation". Why evacuate a public place because of disturbance by others? We were then quickly wrapping up what we were doing and starting to tidy up. It was at this point that a member of staff arrived to tell us to hurry, but we were ready to tidy up. In addition, the way of telling us was disrespectful and disproportionate. We must not confuse workers and disruptors and learn to manage incidents and in case of no solution, POLIMENTLY address those who are also victims of the situation. In short, a library to be avoided.

Super big but on the other hand should not complain: why are you going to queue for 1 hour with all the libraries that exist in Paris frankly ??? At the bpi you have to go around 8 p.m. it's perfect

I've been coming to work there for several days, at the moment (summer vacation) it's quiet. I'm not in line to get in. There is room inside. Safety distances are respected

Downside: no wifi
Complicated when you have a computer suddenly.

This place looks like a social refuge which is very uncomfortable.
Good for those who need it, but not to be confused with a real place of work and reading.
General overcontrol not very nice.

One of the largest libraries in Paris, very well equipped and provided.
A paradise for students or curious people who want to know more or do research.
There is also an archive of all the press since Methuselah.
There are balconies / terraces for smoking, flirting and watching the rooftops of Paris when we take a break from reading.
Coming early, sometimes a little before the opening, you will avoid the tail.

Very good reference to review, research and do academic work. A large number of books classified by different and varied themes. Being able to enter Pompidou to look for a book is a very beautiful experience. Large spaces, with good services available: computers, printers and photocopiers.

If it were not for the queue, way too long, and the little corners, too much spitting, it's a wonderful place to work, revisit, read, listen to music and watch movies. And all that is free (well, we still pay taxes, but to finance a place like this is worth it).

I do not recommend this library if you are looking for a calm and studious place to work (unless you have earplugs) the toilets are foul-smelling, too air-conditioned even in winter, frequent flights,. Too much gossip (however at the entrance there is at least 6 to 7 "Vigil" to check the bags for two porticoes, why not mounted and checked that the Silence is respected and that nobody eats outside the cafeteria and that nobody is reserving places for hours and hours? ')
I leave two stars for public holidays and the other for Sunday as well as the bright spacious premises / the location / and the works.

Nice library often full, the app "Affluences " is wonderful and help you to know the wait time to line, in this library overcrowded.

A beautiful library in the very center of Paris. Inside, it is huge, very high ceiling, lots of books, computers. The only problem is its success !
So the best time to come is in July or August when there is less students. Other months, you may have to queue for one hour or more. And you need to be patient and be ready to be overtaken by queue jumpers. Also inside, some badly educated students think they are in a cafe, eating and talking all the day long, so bring ear plugs and take a deep breathe !! Or go to another library.
During summer vacations, I come here to work nearly every day.

Free library, very pleasant staff is good advice. Open until 10 p.m.

Little waiting time before entering, almost always places and a very large number of books available. Perfect for working in a calm atmosphere!

I knew but I had never used the different services, in this case the self-training in English for a refresher and more. I am glad. But there are also workshops, hotlines and more to discover and it's free

I do not recommend this library if what you want to do requires all your concentration. As a medical student, I advise against her to work. ..

Every weekend, we have to wait a long time to get in: / I want to look for another place to study.

A long enough line especially at the time of opening otherwise it is a very clean space, very organized and very competent staff. Very good place to work.

On Sunday? A horror . There's a horrible waiting time because it's the only one open in the area. Be there minimum 1 hour in advance if you do not want to queue 2:30 (Sunday). Otherwise the atmosphere is studious!

Long tail especially during exam periods. Large library with lots of documents. Quite quiet place, great for working and doing research, but the wifi is slow.

When it's Uni / School exam season, be prepared to queue forever. But overall it is one of the best library that I've ever been. Great place to study & work.

Very good place to work with friends, but often there is a huge queue and it's a shame because people who are not patients leave the queue quickly

This library is central and open until almost 22h !! It offers a wide documentation for the areas that interest me in law, computer science etc. In addition there are many subscriptions and free services. We must pay attention to its success, during exams, it is better to go in the evening at the risk of having a tail that can last up to 2 hours.

just some time you have to face a huge line.. and some time it isn't worth to do. BUT on Sunday where else can you go to?

Public computer library: open every day except Tuesday, contains 2 floors, spacious, with several branches (science, art, technology, ...), free entry, open wifi, free computer, quiet, no eating inside except in the cafeteria. I liked this library, I go there often.

Huge library good for working but a 20min queue almost all the time

Smelly toilet, it feels like a homeless shelter, plus queuing for 2 hours to enter this more than disgusting place is scandalous, too bad there is no less than a star ...

Very good surrounding, but at least 1 hour in the line for entrance :D

Nice place to read.. a very big collection of french books and for english books not too much.

Impressive collections of books and documents of all kinds, yes, it is the best public library in Paris. I had not set foot in a few years and the situation is still the same! Also, I strongly advise against:
- people are noisy, uncomfortable, messy and many seem to consider this place as a MJC ...
- the environment, with its soviet cantoche look, large tables and neon lighting, offers no privacy. Many put off headphones, earplugs, see cap to be isolated ...
- The places are dirty (do not talk about the toilets).
- The cafeteria is overpriced while most of the public is a student.
- you must arrive 2 hours before the opening if you hope to have a place (and again ...).
- security does not exist: the flights are very frequent (it is necessary to take its works BEFORE to sit down and not to move if one is alone, otherwise, it is evening the flight is a person who stings you the place) and vigilantes do nothing even when the thieves are reported, preferring to bite on the students a little lost with too big bags or frail little (we will not tackle an issue that annoys and talk about preferences " ethnic "but if you live in the IDF, you will understand ...) when they are not chatting in a cluster in the lobby.
Clearly, prefer any other public library or choose a BU ...

The staff at the exhibition will have you bring your backpack to the customer's head ... Because I had to put my bag in the unlocked cloakroom, just put it on a shelf like that. And I had to walk around with my papers in my hand .. while tourists were allowed to keep their big rucksacks bigger than mine ... Either they did it to everyone or to people

The security guards are rude and unprofessional.Also for your payment are at the head of the person or guardian today a small white m forbidden between with a closed cafe the other times other people I come back most normally with .the places and often filled but what is annoying is lack of professionalism and coordination between the statements of some agents are there to fill a deep sense of being a shit

** Huge, but few free places
>>> Tip: catalog & research also available on your smartphone via Wifi BPi free effective
** Large technical choice, but remains generalist (few sharp works)
>>> OLD tip> 60 years: preferential access to the center, then BPi via Passage reserved (ID required)

Too much sudden closure, no information on the site, really inadmissible. Some students make the whole trip to study and see themselves returning home, a big waste of time ...

Too much waiting, and noisy some days ... despite all a great availability of books ...

Pleasant library, nice staff, lots of interesting books and the most important thing is calm, only downside that there is no ventilation, with the covid: wearing a mask, carpet and a lot of people, if you suffer like me of a low level of oxygen, after a few hours, all turn and you suffocate ... open the windows which are always closed if possible or perhaps find another solution, too bad

Extremely disappointed with my last visit. Strike ok, but make us wait for 1 hour in the cold, then announce after 15 minutes late the closure of the library, it is very clearly a lack of consideration.

Very large library with free access. it suits me to work quietly

Easy to navigate, offers many different services such as news channels from around the world or music. It is also equipped with computers to facilitate the search for books.
We can say that this library is well supplied and practical.

Currently waiting in line for ... 2h where nothing is happening. The doors are frozen, people have been coming in for about 30 minutes and we have no explanation. It's the worst library I've ever been to and it's probably the last time I'll be there (access is not guaranteed!).
Check in since 14:24, it's 16:27 I'm still in the queue. 0 pointing for organization and filtering at the gantries.

Update: 17:08, I'm finally inside.

The toilets are very dirty. The Wi-Fi network is still not available (a lot of network outage or very slow internet). Sometimes it doesn't smell good (not very clean). Free, calm and lots of books are available.

Security guards at the door must be more punctual. The opening time must be respected. Some come early to be able to return ... and they have to wait beyond the opening time, without even being informed why or until when .... 9 minutes late it's bcq

Nice establishment but the toilets are absolutely not clean. So, I make sure I never have to go.

Good, big library. But be prepared to wait a loooong time in queue to just get in !

Really good library but the queue can be really long depending on when you plan to go there. Have a look at Affluences or google activity tracking to before you go there.

Staff have changed, new arrivals for a year / two years are rude and even more. I'm not talking about the vigilantes. It is a light library that opens late, which allows everyone to rest, read, go online, learn. Homeless people frequent it and it's good that the guards let them in.

The library is free and very popular; when there are many people, it is queued for at least one hour; the network experience is very poor! A friend s computer was stolen, and the person in charge did not even say that there was no way...

Offers a very wide choice of documentation and many very interesting workshops

A lot of tail. I think it is a library over-rated, and a victim of a success, which I imagine comes from the number of places available, books, electrical outlets and schedules!

Good library to do some research! I always find what I need!
The only problem is the water! It needs patience...

One of the greqtest examples of coexistence in France. A place open to the public where everyone can come and explore its own interests for free; Whether you are interested in Arts, Music, History, Cuisine, Mathematics.. There's room for everyone. With an impressive collection of printed and digital media, this place trascends the definition of a public library and transforms into a place for inspiration and work. Open on the 25th of december and the 1st of january Inclusive. Simply amazing!!

A great library with most resources you would need to get some work done. There is usually a line though. Be prepared to wait to get in, especially during the weekend.

Very good library, of course there is a line outside but once inside it is very quiet and spacious. Ideal for working these courses.

There are few people in the library with current events and the staff is noisy. No respect for users ...

Worst library in Paris IMHO.
The smell is in some places unbreathable, do not touch the computers if you do not want to get the black plague, scabies or whatever other infection.
I'm not going to talk to you about the toilets either because what I saw there sincerely made me think of punching my eyes.
The cafeteria is obviously much too expensive and the impossibility of leaving the library to eat or just relax (unlike the BNF or BSG for example) makes a day at the BPI a real ordeal.

Very nice place to study. Entrance in the evening is rather easy, however it is an unnamed hassle on Sundays! I sometimes queued for 2 hours. But the BPI offers the advantage of being able to study both until 10 p.m. weekdays and weekends.

Library spacious, but a lot of people in revision period ... You have to get up early to hope not to spend 2-3 hours waiting in line. There is better we will say.

Very good library. The queue may be long but it is also the price of success.

The negative point that gets him 2 stars is the internet connection. In 2019, such a slow connection is a huge obstacle to work.

I am a student and it is the only quiet place that exists to revise quietly unlike University BUs. In addition, the schedules are quite wide, I even suggest that the closure be postponed to 23:30. Free Wifi that works perfectly. Only problem, the very long queue. It is misleading to see many idle people come and waste time on others ... Access to the library should be a priority for researchers, students and people with specific goals.

Full of annoying teenagers who talk and eat all the time, very disturbing for those who really want to work. And the WIFI works so poorly.

So great the wait to get to the security gantry and someone tells me that I can't come in on the pretext that I have a motorcycle helmet ..... I've never seen that anywhere so you have to not get me the excuse "vigipirate" .... no locker where to put them therefore forced to turn back ... anyway there is no place because of people who reserve places for their imaginary friends ... really ridiculous as a library .. (we understand free ..)

If the bpi could be more honest about its days of strike it could not be bad, especially when more than 1000 high school students have been waiting for an hour to revise their baccalaureate!
I won't say thank you for once